Raleigh Gac Tour of Britain 2015
Team Raleigh GAC have just completed the 2015 Aviva Tour of Britain, undoubtedly their biggest race of the year, and Team Raleigh’s sixth appearance at the Tour of Britain.
This year’s team consisted of; Evan Oliphant, Steve Lampier, Morgan Kneisky, Andy Hawdon, George Pym and Karol Domagalski.
SUNDAY 6TH SEPTEMBER - STAGE 1 BEAUMARIS TO WREXHAM (177.7 KM)
All the riders put in a solid performance in the Aviva Tour of Britain Stage 1 on Sunday 6th September -. Having eased their way through the inaugural stage, the team were now looking to be more proactive throughout the coming stages until the final stage on Sunday 13th September.
MONDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER - STAGE 2 CLITHEROR TO COLNE (159.3 KM)
Stage 2 saw the riders tackling the gruelling ride between Clitheroe and Colne. This saw the team give an excellent, solid performance.
TUESDAY 8TH SEPTEMBER - STAGE 3 COCKERMOUTH TOFLOORS CASTLE (216 KM)
This stage gave the team the opportunity to cover the challenging 216km ride from Cockermouth to Floors Castle in Kelso. This would see Scottish rider Evan Oliphant on ‘home ground’ for the first time in the Tour. Evan, alongside team mates Karol Domagalski and Steve Lampier were all in the front group for much of the race which finished with a bunch sprint. It was a great ride by all the team who all reached the finish line safely after looking after themselves and each other well throughout the race.
WEDNESDAY 9TH SEPTEMBER - STAGE 4 COCKERMOUTH TOFLOORS CASTLE (217.4 KM)
Stage 4 of the tour would see the Aviva Tour of Britain visit Edinburgh for the stage start in Holyrood Park and riding the 217.4 km to Blyth. Here the team received a very warm welcome and great support, non-more so than local rider Evan Oliphant. The team tackled the challenging fourth stage with a more aggressive and proactive strategy and were close to being part of the major breaks. This saw Team Raleigh GAC move up the stage's team results table – ahead of Madison Genesis and Team Wiggins.
THURSDAY 10TH SEPTEMBER - STAGE 5 PRUDHOE TO HARTSIDE (166.2 KM)
This stage saw Morgan Kneisky have a fantastic ride in the five-strong breakaway group – which set social media buzzing and gave the team great television exposure. But, 130km into the race, Morgan suffered a puncture, however Morgan had done his job and the mantle was then taken up by Karol Domagalski and Evan Oliphant who both finished with very respectable placings – closely followed by Andy Hawdon. Unfortunately, Steve Lampier was forced to retire from the race after battling illness throughout the week.
FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER - STAGE 6 STOKE ON TRENT TO NOTTINGHAM (227.4 KM)
The riders faced a tough days racing in stage 6, the race included several of the Peak Districts famous climbs. For Team Raleigh GAC though, this also meant that they were on their ‘home ground’. They would be racing through the East Midlands and finishing the 227.4km ride at the Forest Recreation Ground in Nottingham. Nottingham of course being Raleigh’s home city.
Team Raleigh GAC Director Cherie Pridham said: “We were super motivated for today’s race and were really looking forward to flying the flag for the team and all our sponsors and supporters as we made our way from Stoke, through Derbyshire and into Nottingham.” .
SATURDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER - STAGE 7 FAKENHAM TO IPSWICH (227.4 KM)
With just two days remaining in the Aviva Tour of Britain 2015, the Team Raleigh GAC riders would today face a tough ride of 227.4km from Fakenham to Ipswich. The team had a good day’s racing and were fully prepared for the final day of the tour.
SUNDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER – STAGE 8 – THE FINAL STAGE - THE LONDON STAGE (86.8 KM)
The final day of the Aviva Tour of Britain saw an incredible stage in London with massive crowds watching the 14 laps of a 6.4km circuit around some of the most famous streets in the world. The route started and finished on Regent Street St James, it took in the popular tourist attractions of Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, the Strand and Whitehall over multiple laps, giving spectators a great chance to see the world's best riders in their capital city. Evan Oliphant, Morgan Kneisky, Karol Domagalski and George Pym were all geared up for the final push to the finish and did not disappoint. A break got away just after the first sprint points and Morgan flew the flag for the team. When that came back, another break formed containing Karol. They gained a 20 second lead but it was always going to come down to a big spring finish. Morgan sprinted home in 26th place and Karol, Evan and George all finished safely. Team Raleigh GAC Race Director Cherie Pridham said: “It has been one of the hardest tours for a while and I am extremely proud of all the guys who battled hard in tough circumstances. It has been a great week and the end to a very good season for us. I would like to thank you to all our sponsors and partners for their amazing support throughout the week.”
Direct Nutrition are very proud to be the official Nutritional partner to Raleigh GAC and are delighted to have fuelled the riders throughout the Aviva Tour of Britain 2015 with their supplements, especially the team’s favourite products;
ELITE SERIES HYDRATE
